Nano idsd bitperfect3/13/2023 They say they chose this in order to allow for the device to have a long battery life and to charge while inactive (up to 80%), as the micro iDSD Black Label is first and foremost a portable device. IFi chose to make the device sleep after three minutes of inactivity. Just like the dongle, it can be set to two different levels when engaged: “high sensitivity” and “ultra sensitivity”, with the latter being recommended (almost mandatory to me…) for headphones below 32 Ω impedance and with sensitivity higher than 95 dB. It is possible to take advantage of the iFi IEMatch technology just by using a switch on the lower side. It is therefore rather flexible and can be used in a variety of situations, from the desktop amplifier paired up with a PC to the DAC for a CD player in the living room and so on. It can be connected to a PC using the onboard USB connector (a full-size male USB connector!), but there is also a SPDIF in/out port to connect the micro iDSD Black Label to other sources. The micro iDSD Black Label also features a 3.5 mm jack input that allows one to use it as a headphones amplifier or preamplifier only, thus making it more flexible than its nano counterpart. When in line-out mode the micro iDSD Black Label silences the RCA output when a headphone is plugged in, but it reproduces sound on both headphones and RCA outputs when in preamplifier mode. It can work in line-out mode and preamplifier mode: the first seems to be most useful in case you use another amplifier, while the latter allows you to adjust the volume of the output and therefore comes as especially convenient when using powered speakers or other equipment where full line-out volume is too loud. Not only can the micro iDSD Black Label drive headphones, it can also drive powered speakers and other amplifiers through the RCA output on the back. Below 9:00, though, sound is just not there at all – the device is completely silent. Its imbalance zone runs up to 9:30, which seems quite good given the starting point is at 7:00. The volume knob is adjusted easily and offers the right amount of resistance, thus allowing precise adjustment of volume it is correctly placed and feels solid, despite its small size. The lack of a front-facing status LED was a problem to me – I always forgot to power off the unit! The lack of a visual reminder is in fact a small flaw, but since the unit goes to sleep by default after a certain amount of time (as further explained below) there should not be any damage resulting from long-term exposure to this. iFi chose to highlight important text such as button labels printing them in orange and making them easily readable – as there are quite a few features, this is a really wise choice! The front hosts the volume knob, the 6.3 mm jack output, the 3.5 mm jack input and the effects switches: one is for the XBass+, which gives bass a boost, the other is for the 3D+ that makes soundstage larger.Ī slew of text is printed on the lower side, but it is black and is therefore difficult to read. There’s no play between the pieces and this highlights iFi’s great attention to detail – something that’s to be expected, given their reputation and the price of this device. As it is a Black Label device, there is black paint applied to the metal body and accents are orange.Īssembly is as flawless as can be, with all parts being perfectly in place and fitting together. Design & Buildīeing a part of the “micro” line, the iFi micro iDSD Black Label uses the same design as the other members of the family – that is, a rectangular aluminium body with a trapezoidal section. Sleep mode makes headphones and powered monitors popĪs in iFi’s best tradition, the box comes full of accessories: there are a tissue bag, a USB 3 patch cable (one end is male, the other female), a smaller OTG-like cable with a USB-B port, a USB-A to USB-B converter, a 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm jack adapter, a cable with 3.5 mm jacks at both ends, a small slab of silicone, two rubber bands, four rubber feet and an optical adapter (from TOSLink to mini-TOSLink). One-second silence gap when it starts playing Superb build quality, high-grade materials, solid aluminium You can learn more on the product on iFi’s website. It was returned after the review had been published. It still sounds fantastic and really makes the investment worthwhile.ĭisclaimer: this is a unit on loan from iFi. Regarded as one of the best portable DAC/amps on the market, the iFi micro iDSD Black Label surely earned its fame, but it is not exempt from criticism in a couple design choices. It’s also larger, has a larger battery and allows you to hear a larger sound presentation (no jokes!). IFi’s flagship DAC and headphone amplifier, the iFi micro iDSD Black Label, is the full-blown version of the nano iDSD Black Label that has more power output, more features, more outputs… and needs you to shell out more cash.
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